Intravenous injection device



s- 1962 H. R. GRAU 3,048,171

INTRAVENOUS INJECTION DEVICE Filed Nov. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i F/g. 5

6 INVENTOR.

4 HARRY R. GRAU ATTORNEYS a- 1 62 H. R. GRAU 3,048,171

INTRAVENOUS INJECTION DEVICE Filed Nov. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HAR RY R. GRAU.

ATTORNEYS Ohio Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,606 2 Claims. ((31. 128-214) This invention relates generally to intravenous injection devices, but has reference more particularly to improvements in the device described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 729,152, filed April 17, 1958.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, in whichthe components of the device have been simplified as to their construction, and in which the assembly of the components and the manner of use of the device have also been simplified and improved. 2

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, in which a simple rubber diaphragm is used, as a part of the plasma container, thereby eliminating the use of a plastic bag for containing the plasma;

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, in which a novel needle and plug assembly is utilized by means of which a more effective and fluid-tight connection with the plasma container is efiected.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, in which a gauge has been incorporated for indicating the quantity of plasma which has been expelled from the device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description:

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application. and in which'like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1, of the means for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the device;

FIG, 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the device, as shown in FIG. 7, and

FIG. '11 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a needle unit or assembly which is used in conjunction with the device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device will be seen to comprise a housing, generally designated by reference character 1, made of a suitable lightweight material, preferably a plastic.

The housing comprises a body portion 3 having an annular flange 4 at its outer periphery, which is provided at its upper end with circumferentially-spaced bayonet slots consisting of vertical portions 5 and horizontal arcuate portions 6 which extend circumferentially from the lower ends of the portions 5, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3

3,048,171 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 ice 2*. and 5. The function of these slots will be presently described.

Extending from the inner periphery of the body portion 3 of the housing 1 is a hub-like or axial extension or collar "7, which terminates in a base 8, from which a sleeve 9 extends inwardly toward the plane of the body portion 3.

The device further comprises a container or receptacle, in which the plasma or other preparation which is intended to be injected into the body is completely enclosed. This container comprises a disc-like portion 10, made of glass or the like, and having an annular flange 11 at its periphery. Frictionally and removably secured to the lower end of the flange 11, as by means of a metallic band 12, is a thin rubber diaphragm 13, which is stretched flat, in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

The flange 11 is provided with circumferentially-spaced pins 14, which are formed integrally with the flanges 11, and are adapted for insertion in the vertical portions 5 of the bayonet slots in the housing flange 4, after which the container is rotated slightly about its axis to move the pins 14 into the portions 6 of the slots, whereby to removably lock the container to the housing.

The portion 14 of the container is provided at its center with a tapered opening 15 for the reception of a socket 16, preferably made of plastic, and which is secured within the opening 15, as by a wringe fit. The socket 16 is provided with an axial opening or passageway 17, which is sealed at its upper end, as by means of a frangible closure or seal 18. The socket 16 is also provided with a pair of bayonet slots consisting of vertical portions 19 and horizontal arcuate portions 20 which extend circumferentially from the lower ends of the portions 19, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The function of these slots Will be presently described.

For the purpose of expelling the contents of the container 101113, means have been provided, which comprises a piston 21, having a peripheral annular flange 22, which is adapted to engage or abut the inner surface of the body portion 3 of the housing 1, before the contents of the container have begun to be expelled.

The piston 21 is provided with an axial extension 23, which is interiorly threaded, and is slidably mounted in the sleeve 9.

For the purpose of providing a substantially uniform pressure against the piston 21, so that the contents of the container may be expelled at a uniform rate, a compression coil spring 24 is interposed between the piston 21 and the base 8.

For the purpose of locking the piston 21 against the action of the spring 24, a screw 25 is provided, which is threadedly secured within the axial extension 23, and is rnanipulable by means of a knob 26.

Threadedly secured to the screw 25 is a nut 27. When the nut 27 is in abutment with the base 8, the piston 21 is locked or restrained against movement, but when the screw 25 is moved to a position, such as shown in FIG. 3, the piston 21 is free to move, due to the pressure of the spring 24. It will be apparent that by adjusting the position of the nut 27 on the screw 25, the extent to which the piston 21 is moved by the spring 24 may be controlled.

Reference numeral 28 designates generally a strap or similar means by which the device may be removably secured to the limb of a person or to any suitable support.

For the purpose of calibrating or controlling the flow of plasma from the container, I have provided a flow control means, which comprises a stem 29 which extends from the body portion 3 of the housing, and has a V-shaped recess 39 therein. Integrated with the stem 29' is a collar 31, which is interiorly threaded for the reception of a screw 32, having a head 33 and an axial stem 34. Disposed within the stem 29, in such a manner as spasm/1 to be slidable in the stem, but not rotatable therein, is a flow control member 35, having a toe 36. The head 33, of the screw 32 is provided with an index mark as shown in FIG. to indicate the rate of flow of plasma or other fluid from the container, the index mark on the head 33 being'used in conjunction with indicia 37 on a dial 38 aflixed to the collar 31.

The device further includes a gauge for indicating the amount of plasma which has been expelled from the container. This gauge comprises a stem or rod 39 which is secured to the piston 21 and is slidable in a gauge column 49 aflixed to the housing 1. The column 40 bears graduations which are used in conjunction with the lower end of the rod or stem 39 to indicate the amount of plasma which has been expelled from the container.

The device is adapted to be used With a needle unit or assembly, which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, and which comprises a flexible'tube 41, to one end of which a needle 42 is attached. The other end of the tube 41 has secured thereto a plug 43 having an axial extension 44, the end of which is beveled, as at 45. The plug and extension have an axial passageway 46 therethrough. The plug is also provided with spaced prongs 47 having toes 48 extending outwardly therefrom.

The use or operation of the device Will now be described.

The spring 24 is first locked against extension by screwing the screw into the axial extension 23 until the nut 27 engages the base 8, after which the fluid container is connected to the housing 1.

The flexible tubing 41 is then placed in the recess of the flow control means and toe 36 of the flow control member moved to collapse the tubing 41, so as to prevent passage of fluid therethrough.

The spring 24 is then released from its locked condition by withdrawing the screw 25, and therefore the nut 27 to a position in spaced relation to the base 8, the extent of such spacing depending upon the amount of plasma which is to be expelled from the container. The spring 24 then becomes efliective to move the piston '21, to thus stretch the diaphragm l3 and expel the contents of the container at a uniform rate, this action ceasing when the nut 27 comes into abutment with the base 8.

The container is then punctured by pushing the axial extension 44 of the plug 43 into the opening 17 in the socket 16, the beveled end 45 of this extension breaking the seal 18 in the course of such insertion. At the same time, the toes 48 of the prongs 47 are passed downwardly through the vertical portions 19 of the bayonet slots in socket 16, after which the plug 43 is rotated slightly about its axis to move the toes 43 into the portions 20 of the slots whereby to lock the plug to the socket and to provide a fluid-tight seal between the plug and socket.

The screw 32 is then turned sufficiently to permit the escape of air from the tubing 41, the air being thus bled from the tubing until plasma emerges from the needle 42, after which the toe 36 is again moved to close the tubing 41. t

The needle 42 is then introduced into the patient, the control opened to the desired flow by setting the index mark on the head 33 to one of the indicia marks on the dial 38.

It is thus seen that I have provided an extremely simple and economical device for injecting plasma and other fluids into the human body.

Due to the fact that the plasma or other fluid is maintained in a completely closed glass container up to and during the time it is used, the plasma or other fluid is maintained in a sterile condition, and any and all danger of contamination or infection is completely avoided.

The removal of emptied containers, and installation of new ones into the device can be quickly and easily accomplished by personnel requiring minimal training and supervision.

it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the device which has been described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a housing, a container removably secured to said housing and comprising a hollow, transparent, rigid portion, and a flexible diaphragm secured to said rigid portion, said rigid portion having an axial opening in which a socket is frictionally secured, said socket having an axial passageway there through, which is closed at one end by a frangible seal, spring means disposed within said housing, means responsive to said spring means for distending said diaphragm to expel the contents of said container, said last-named means comprising a piston bearing against said diaphragm, and an assembly associated with said device, said assembly comprising a needle, a plug, and a flexible conduit interconnecting said needle and plug, said plug adapted for connection to said socket and provided with means for breaking said seal to permit flow of fluid from said container through said conduit and needle.

2. A device, as defined in claim 1, including a gauge secured to said housing for indicating the amount of fluid which has been expelled from said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 159,192 Leiter Jan. 26, 1875 922,331 Quarles May 18, 1909 1,476,946 Bessesen Dec. 11, 1923 2,471,852 Bau May 31, 1949 2,669,230 Smoot Feb. 16, 1954 2,690,179 Fox Sept. 28, 1954 2,699,166 Dickinson et a1 Jan. 11, 1955 2,704,543 Scherer Mar. 22, 1955 2,737,946 Hein Mar. 13, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 296,188 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1954 

